In this Issue:

1. Editor's Note
2. MONTHLY NEWS REVIEW
- Local Government Building in Guangxi Stormed - Sugarcane Farmers Protest Against Low Sugarcane Prices
3. WORKERS' VIEWS & ACTIONS
- Dozens of Farmers Detained After Protest in Guangxi Province - Claims of Beatings in Police Custody

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Editor's Note

With China’s entry to WTO in December 2001, the sugar market, among others, was thrust open to ‘free trade’. Gains from exports have yet to trickle the long way down to the rural workers. But increased imports and falling prices have started to hit the impoverished farmers who are strapped with heavy taxes, local corruption and increased expenses.

What started as an appeal to negotiate with the local sugar refinery Boqing Foodstuffs Co. over delayed payment turned into the siege of the Yizhou city government building and a protest against low sugar cane prices. A local witness said that 30,000 farmers joined the protest on September 12.

Boqing, a joint venture with British Sugar Overseas, claims that the price is set by the government, and they just follow the official guideline. The local government also claims that it is innocent – the farmers have not brought up the problem with them before. BSO claims that they have been offering good prices – when the price goes down, the culprit is the ‘invisible hands’ in the international sugar market.

One thing is clear. The sugarcane farmers refused to take it any longer, and soon after the protest, their demands were met – higher prices and immediate payment. However, dozens of farmers have been reportedly arrested.

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MONTHLY NEWS REVIEW

Local Government Building in Guangxi Stormed - Sugarcane Farmers Protest Against Low Sugarcane Prices

According to a local witness, around 30,000 farmers protested the local government in Yizhou City in the southwestern province of Guangxi on September 12. Enraged farmers stormed the government building and blocked a major railroad, expressing their anger over the low sugarcane prices offered by the local refinery, which is a joint venture with British Sugar Overseas. Reportedly, dozens of farmers have been arrested.

http://www.clb.org.hk/en/node/2188 [2]

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WORKERS' VIEWS & ACTIONS

Dozens of Farmers Detained After Protest in Guangxi Province - Claims of Beatings in Police Custody

CLB talks with several farmers on the spurt of rage on September 12, revealing that the sugarcane farmers have tried to negotiate with the refinery and local government on the prices. With their demands falling on deaf ears, the farmers gave a big push on September 12 with positive results - prices were raised and payment settled. However, a number of farmers are still under detention.

http://www.clb.org.hk/en/node/2182 [3]